Gloucester’s Westgate Street is famous for inspiring Beatrix Potter’s The Tailor of Gloucester and this September it will host events to celebrate all things textiles.
Threads, a project being launched by Voices Gloucester on Friday 2 September and supported by Gloucester BID, will involve exhibitions, workshops, and talks in venues throughout Westgate Street until Sunday 18 September.
Maps will be available to collect from Gloucester Cathedral, The Folk of Gloucester, and The Cavern, or look out for the needle and thread symbols to explore some of the stories of Westgate Street.
Gloucestershire textiles artists have brought to life memories of life on the street with some beautiful illustrations. Each illustration will lead to a QR code so you can find out all about the stories and characters who have populated this amazing street.
Threads looks to celebrate the past as Westgate Street has a proud history of textiles and the project also looks to the future with this dynamic programme of exhibitions and events. Working with heritage partners Gloucester Cathedral, The Cathedral Quarter and The Folk of Gloucester, as well as shops and businesses up and down the street, the area once known for its bustling textile trade will come alive with community stitching projects.
Creative Director Jacqui Grange said, ‘Westgate Street has always inspired textiles artists – from Beatrix Potter’s Tailor of Gloucester to this! Threads has been a wonderful opportunity for Voices Gloucester to show some of the great work being created by Gloucestershire artists and communities, and tell some fantastic stories.’
Voices Gloucester is a community led programme which offers funding, mentoring and support to individuals or organisations that want to tell their story about Gloucester’s history.
Lots of the events are being held in the reopened The Folk of Gloucester on Westgate Street where work by local textile artists will be displayed in the reopened cafe. The historic garden at the venue has been newly improved and is a wonderful place to sit and read the festival programme, enjoy lunch and meet with friends.
The Folk of Gloucester will be open every day during the Gloucester History Festival (3-18 September) celebrating Gloucester’s history with talk and activities.
Find out more about the event here: https://voicesgloucester.org.uk/events/threads-through-time/
